Like the Comet

Happy belated New Year, y’all!

The new year means a new reading goal, and I have to be honest, I already modified mine.

Last year I read 125 books, right? So, my initial thought was to up the ante right out of the gate and set my 2022 Goodreads Reading Challenge goal to 140. Which is pretty audacious, I must admit lol.

Then I started talking to a friend who said she knows she’s planning to read some thicc bois this year (my words, not hers lol), and because of that, decided to set her goal a little lower to start and then will increase it as the year goes on, if necessary.

Since I already read a 725 page book this year, and am planning on reading a few more that are at least 500+ pages, I modified my 2022 reading goal to 100 books.

But, hey! Whether your 2022 reading goal is 100, 52, 12, or literally just one book, you are doing amazing and can call yourself a reader!

Now, without further adieu, let’s get into what I read in January.

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 3.8/5 stars

Summary: The Mortal War is over, and 16-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She’s training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhuners are at peace at last. And she can finally call Jace her boyfriend. But nothing comes without a price. Someone is murdering Shadowhunters, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second, bloody war. Clary’s best friend, Simon, can’t help her - his mother just found out he’s a vampire, and now he’s homeless. When Jace begins to pull away from her without explaining why, Clary is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: she herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead her to losing everything she loves. Even Jace.

My Thoughts: This is Simon’s redemption book and you cannot convince me otherwise. Like I actually enjoyed his quick quips and untimely humor instead of being irrationally irritated with him a majority of the time as I was the last three books lol. Admittedly though, this book was probably the weakest so far in the series - which, in a series as strong and addicting as the Mortal Instruments, should not discount it at all. I just think that after the big ending of the third book, transitioning into the next great adventure for this Shadowhunter/vampire/werewolf/warlock crew of misfits was bound to stumble a little bit before it found its footing. You know? That said, I still thoroughly enjoyed this fourth installment and appreciated all of the new side characters and plotlines that were introduced because all of them added layers and depth to this YA fantasy. So, although I’ve seen a few reviews on Goodreads absolutely shitting on this book, I say you should continue on if you’ve made it this far into the series.

CITY OF LOST SOULS by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: What price is too high to pay, even for love? When Jace and Clary meet again, Clary is horrified to discover that the demon Lilith’s magic has bound her beloved Jace together with her evil brother Sebastian, and that Jace has become a servant of evil. The Clave is out to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. As Alec, Magnus, Simon, and Isabelle wheedle and bargain with Seelies, demons, and the merciless Iron Sisters to try to save Jace, Clary plays a dangerous game of her own. The price of losing is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost?

My Thoughts: DAMN. MY BOY JACE CANNOT CATCH A BREAK. He’s been basically bound to Clary’s evil, weird brother, Sebastian, and plot twist: we can’t kill Sebastian without killing Jace too. So, this book was a whole slew of stressful situations. Specifically involving Clary doing some shit that makes you want to audibly scream, “KNOCK IT OFF, CLARY.” Homegirl just RUNS into danger and then figures out how to maneuver it later. I will say, there were parts in this story that made me second guess whether or not we could trust Sebastian. They had us in the first half, not gonna lie…lol ;). Anywho, aside from all that drama, I appreciated that we got to spend some decent page time with Isabelle and Simon, Alec and Magnus, and even a little more than usual with Maia and the new guy, Jordan. This book took some crazy turns, had various battles that made me clench my teeth, and multiple scenes that hit you RIGHT IN THE FEELS. Definitely pick up the fifth installment of the Mortal Instruments series if you’ve already made it this far.

THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY by Matt Haig

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Between life and earth there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices… Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets? Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.

My Thoughts: Wow this book was impactful. It was such a unique premise and really made me reflect on how I view regrets in life. I think it’s natural for most people to dwell on choices they made in the past and wonder how their lives might be different if they had only gone with the alternative. In this story, Nora gets to see how her life would have turned out if she had made a different decision about something specific through the Midnight Library. It was really fulfilling to vicariously see how her life would have turned out in all of the different “books” she visits because she realizes there’s positives and negatives to every life no matter what regret she was erasing. Understandably, some people will find this book depressing, but it helped that Nora was a likable character because I had an easier time walking through this experience with her. I know I’m definitely late to this book, but if you haven’t picked it up yet, I highly recommend you do! Content/Trigger Warnings: suicide, overdose, depression, alcoholism, cancer, drug abuse.

FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT by Elle Cosimano

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Finlay Donovan is killing it… except, she’s really not. A stressed-out single mom of two and struggling novelist, Finlay’s life is in chaos: The new book she promised her literary agent isn’t written; her ex-husband fired the nanny without telling her; and this morning she had to send her 4-year-old to school with hair duct-taped to her head after an accident with scissors. When Finlay is overheard discussing the plot of her new suspense novel with her agent over lunch, she’s mistaken for a contract killer and inadvertently accepts an offer to dispose of a problem in order to make ends meet. She soon discovers that crime in real life is a lot more difficult than its fictional counterpart, as she becomes tangled in a real-life murder investigation.

My Thoughts: LOL. Why did I take so long to read this book?! It was a WILD ride to say the least, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Finlay is the perfect main character for this story, and I loved that she had an underdog energy about her because it made all of her W’s even more satisfying. That said though, I MUST give a shout out to a supporting character - Vero. Between her dry humor and matter-of-fact side comments, I could not stop chuckling. She definitely added another element to this unfathomable, comedic storyline. On a more serious note though, my heart was definitely racing at various points of this book, and the multiple plot twists constantly had me asking “whodunnit?” Overall, if you want something a little upbeat with a premise I’ve never encountered before, you’ve gotta pick this one up!

THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS by Ali Hazelwood

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn’t believe in lasting romantic relationships - but her friend does, and that’s what got into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand - wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees. That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor - and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Standford’s reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive’s career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding six-pack abs. Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under a microscope.

My Thoughts: This was a bookstagram impulse buy and one I do not regret at all. I was INVESTED in this book. Y’all know I love a fake dating trope, but I love them even more when the main characters are both likable, quirky, and have amazing chemistry (pun intended). Olive and Adam were perfect for each other in all the ways that counted and it’s impossible not to root for them. Between bonding over their love of science, sharing quick-witted banter, and supporting each other through some difficult situations, I was absolutely SWOONING. Honestly? I laughed, I cried, I binged this book in a day. Needless to say, you MUST pick this one up.

WHAT STORM, WHAT THUNDER by Myriam J. A. Chancy

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: At the end of a long, sweltering day, as markets and businesses begin to close for the evening, an earthquake of 7.0 magnitude shakes the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince. Myriam J. A. Chancy masterfully charts the inner lives of the characters affected by the disaster - Richard, an expat and wealthy water-bottling executive with a secret daughter; the secret daughter, Anne, an architect who drafts affordable housing structures for a global NGO; a small-time drug trafficker, Leopold, who pines for a beautiful girl; Sonia and her business partner, Dieudonne, who are followed by a man they believe is the vodou spirit of death; Didier, an emigrant musician who drives a taxi in Boston; Sara, a mother haunted by the ghosts of her children in an IDP camp; her husband, Olivier, an accountant forced to abandon the wife he loves; their son, Jonas, who haunts them both; and Ma Lou, the old woman selling produce in the market who remembers them all. Artfully weaving these lives, witness is given to the desolation wrecked by nature and man.

My Thoughts: This was a heartbreakingly beautiful historical fiction novel that follows different individuals who were affected by the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. All of the characters, though experiencing their own adversity after the destructive event, are connected in some way. I will say, this book is definitely a slower burn. Each chapter is the perspective of a new character where you learn what role they play in this community, their background, and how the earthquake affected them personally. Which means you have to get used to how each new person thinks, feels, and speaks. So, although it took a little more time to get into each person’s story, this format allowed me to develop a deeper connection with all of them individually. In addition to the characters, I appreciated learning more about Haiti, its culture, and how aid is provided after a natural disaster (spoiler: it’s not great.) If you’re looking for an impactful read that will help you gain perspective on a different country, this one is definitely worth picking up.

CITY OF HEAVENLY FIRE by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures out of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell. The embattled Shadowhunters withdraw to Idris - but not even the famed demon towers of Alicante can keep Sebastian at bay. And with the Nephilim trapped in Idris, who will guard the world against demons? When one of the greatest betrayals the Nephilim have ever know is revealed, Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Simon, and Alec must flee - even if their journey takes them deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot before, and from which no human being has ever returned…

My Thoughts: *Deep sigh* This was not just the final book of The Mortal Instruments series, this was a love note to all of the readers who became as invested as I did. Everything I could have wanted out of the ending to this adventurous tale was delivered in the most beautiful mix of ass-kicking scenes, heartbreaking moments, witty banter, gestures of hope, and more. There are some new characters introduced in this book that foreshadow the spin-off series (The Infernal Devices and The Dark Artifices), so there’s quite a few storylines to follow that all play into the bigger picture. However, because the format of this book is broken into different perspectives, I never found it overwhelming to keep up. Not to give anything away, but the ending is imperfectly perfect and I appreciate the author didn’t give us everything we wanted for the end of this series on a silver platter. If it isn’t obvious, I was a big fan of this book and an even bigger fan of The Mortal Instruments series overall. So go read it lol.

EVER AFTER ALWAYS by Chloe Liese

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Aiden - I’ve spent 12 years loving Freya Bergman and 12 lifetimes won’t be enough to give her everything she deserves. She’s my passionate, tender-hearted wife, my best friend, and all I want is to make her happy. But the one thing that will make her happiest is the one thing I’m not sure I can give her: a baby. WIth the pressure of providing and planning for a family, my anxiety’s at an all-time high, and I find myself pulling away, terrified to tell my wife how I’m struggling. But when Freya kicks me out, I realize that pulling back has turned into pushing too far. Now it’s the fight of a lifetime to save our marriage. Freya - I love my cautious, hard-working husband. He’s my partner and best friend, the person I know I can count on most. Until one day I realize the man I married is nowhere to be found. Now Aiden is quiet and withdrawn, and as the months wear on, the pain of our growing distance becomes too much. As if weathering marriage counseling wasn’t enough, we’re thrown together for an island getaway to celebrate my parents’ many years of perfect marriage while ours is on the brink of collapse. Despite my meddling siblings and a week in each other’s constant company, this trip somehow gets us working through the trouble in paradise. I just can’t help worrying, when we leave paradise and return to the real world, will trouble find us again?

My Thoughts: This book was exactly what I needed right when I needed it. Tbh, after reading the first two books of the Bergman Brothers series, Aiden had become a character I wasn’t a huge fan of. He kind of gave off dickhead vibes. So I had low expectations going into this one, but am pleased to report, we turned that ship around. Aiden suffers from anxiety which I relate to, so I had a lot of empathy for his situation. Thus far, Freya has the badass big sister that everyone wishes they had, but I liked that we got to see the vulnerable side of her in this book because it gave her character more depth. Though their relationship is a roller coaster of emotions throughout this entire storyline, it was easy to buckle up for the ride and enjoy watching Aiden and Freya find their way back to each other. Needless to say, I definitely recommend it!

REMINDERS OF HIM by Colleen Hoover

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: After serving 5 years in prison for a tragic mistake, Kenna Rowan returns to the town where it all went wrong, hoping to reunite with her 4-year-old daughter. But the bridges Kenna burned are proving impossible to rebuild. Everyone in her daughter’s life is determined to shut Kenna out, no matter how hard she works to prove herself. The only person who hasn’t closed the door on her completely is Ledger Ward, a local bar owner and one of the few remaining links to Kenna’s daughter. But if anyone were to discover how Ledger is slowly becoming an important part of Kenna’s life, both would risk losing the trust of everyone important to them. The two form a connection despite the pressure surrounding them, but as their romance grows, so does the risk. Kenna must find a way to absolve the mistakes of her past in order to build a future out of hope and healing.

My Thoughts: CoHo does it again folks! Between her signature writing style and the addicting characters she always seems to nail, this book is one I’ll be thinking about months from now. I could literally feel the heartache and pain in my chest that Kenna went through in the past and continues to experience presently. Then there are the small nuggets of hope we pick up along the way that make it feel easier to breathe because it means Kenna’s future isn’t already solidified. Ledger’s character wasn’t my favorite at first, but slowly grew on me. He was stuck in such a tough position due to Kenna’s situation, so it was impossible not to feel for him as he worked through the frustration and confusion. Together, their connection was undeniable no matter how hard both Kenna and Ledger tried pushing each other and their feelings away. I was banging my head against a wall waiting for them to open their hearts enough to let the other person in. So, in conclusion: get ready to feel all the feels, my friends. All the feels. This is definitely a CoHo book you should pick up and quickly!

THE GILDED ONES by Namina Forna

Rating: 3.25/5 stars

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs. But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity - and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death. Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called the alaki - near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire’s greatest threat. Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she’s ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to rain for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be - not even Deka herself.

My Thoughts: This book has been hella hyped on Bookstagram, so I was excited to dive into it because y’all know I love a YA fantasy. Per usual, I went into this book not knowing what it was about, and the first part of it reminded me a lot of the book The Grace Year because they’re trying to figure out what girls of the village are “pure” and suitable for marriage. Then it quickly takes a turn where the girls who are considered “impure” are basically deemed demonic and either bloodlet for the gold in their blood or tortured as the village priests try to figure out how to kill them. However, Deka is saved by a woman who works for the emperor and is training other girls like her to form an army. Honestly, although this book had its strong points, it kind of felt like it only floated between two tones: an intense tone as Deka discovered her abilities during training and while fighting the deathshrieks and a lighter/dramatic tone as she tries to figure out more about her past while forging new relationships. I was never extremely invested in the story, and though Deka is an objectively strong character, I found it somewhat difficult to genuinely connect with her throughout the entirety of this experience. Overall, it was a good book, but it definitely wouldn’t be in my top YA fantasy recommendations.

THE FLAT SHARE by Beth O’Leary

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Tiffy Moore needs a cheap flat, and fast. Leon Twomey works nights and needs cash. Their friends think they’re crazy, but it’s the perfect solution: Leon occupies the one-bed flat while Tiffy’s at work in the day, and she has the run of the place the rest of the time. But with obsessive ex-boyfriends, demanding clients at work, wrongly imprisoned brothers, and of course, the fact that they still haven’t met yet, they’re about to discover that if you want the perfect home you need to throw the rulebook out the window…

My Thoughts: This was freaking cute. Extremely predictable, but sometimes we need that in our lives, do we not? Tiffy is an incredibly eccentric character with an eclectic style and personality. She’s just the type of person who other people are drawn to because of her bright presence in any room and her ability to see good in everyone. Leon is a quiet giant teddy bear. He’s got the biggest heart and puts everyone’s needs ahead of his own. Basically after Tiffy moves in, she and Leon start leaving post-it notes for each other all over the place since they’re never home at the same time, and I kind of loved that that’s how their friendship blossomed. From there, I was just WAITING for them to cross paths to see how their fun chemistry translated from paper to in-person. There are a couple of darker plot lines woven into this story involving Tiffy’s ex-boyfriend and Leon’s brother, but overall this was a really fun read if you’re into British rom-coms.

LUCKY by Marissa Stapley

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Lucky Armstrong is a tough, talented grifter who has just pulled off a million-dollar heist with her boyfriend, Cary. She’s ready to start a brand-new life, with a new destiny - when things go sideways. Lucky finds herself alone for the first time, navigating the world without the help of either her father or her boyfriend, the two figures from whom she’s learned the art of the scam. When she discovers that a lottery ticket she bought on a whim is worth millions, her elation is tempered by one big problem: cashing in the winning ticket means she’ll be arrested for her crimes. She’ll go to prison with no chance to redeem her fortune. As Lucky tries to avoid capture and make a future for herself, she must confront her past by reconciling with her father; finding her mother, who abandoned her when she was just a baby; and coming to terms with the man she thought she loved - whose dark past is catching up with her, too.

My Thoughts: I wasn’t sure how this book was going to go, but I’m pleased to report I absolutely loved it! For starters, the premise is unlike anything else I’ve read and the entire experience was a wild ride. It was impossible for me not to like the main character, Lucky. The story bounces back and forth between her past - being raised by a con artist - and the present - where she’s on the run for embezzlement. At first, I assumed she’s going to be a morally gray character based on her current situation, but that quickly changed as I got to know her better. Though scamming people is basically what she’s best at, she constantly has an internal battle of knowing she can easily get some money from innocent people, but hating that she’s lying to them at the same time. The author also does an amazing job of making you question what side characters Lucky can really trust because most people who can help her have either hurt her in the past or you suspect have an ulterior motive. For being less than 250 pages, this book had me hooked from the start and I definitely recommend adding it to your list of books to read this year!

WITH YOU FOREVER by Chloe Liese

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Axel - Rooney Sullivan is sunshine incarnate. Warm, bright, always smiling, she’s everything I’m not and the last person I have any business desiring. Desperate to hide a hopeless attraction, I’ve done everything possible to keep my distance… until a charades game gone wrong brought that to a grinding halt. Since then, steering clear of Rooney has been impossible. In a matter of months, she’s kissed me speechless, commandeered my art career, and infiltrated not only my dreams but my home. The woman who was once avoidable has become the last thing I needed: temptingly within reach. Rooney - Axel Bergman is a gorgeous grump who doesn’t have the time of day for me. Thankfully, I’ve kept my crush under wraps… Well, until I kissed him. Charades got away from me, okay? It was an accident! I haven’t seen him since, which is for the best. My life is a mess, and the last thing I need is to embarrass myself further with the man who avoids me like that’s his job rather than painting modern masterpieces. It seems the universe, however, has a different plan. When Axel and I unexpectedly find our paths - and problems - converging, a marriage of convenience proves the perfect solution. At least until I’m facing my most serious problem yet: a once-loveless marriage of convenience that’s inconveniently become a love match, after all.

My Thoughts: So the Bergman Brothers series has become somewhat of a guilty pleasure for me and I REALLY wanted to hold off on reading this book as like a little treat to myself. However, I was in a slump and needed to read something I knew would bring me out of it, so With You Forever, it was. I feel like we’ve gotten to know Rooney’s character better through the first three books than we have Axel, so I was excited to get to know the oldest Bergman boy. This grumpy-sunshine trope was beautifully done as we watched Rooney and Axel dance around each other as friendly temporary roommates of sorts until the emotional and sexual tension was too much to bare lol. There are plenty of laugh out loud scenes, fun low-key banter, heartwarming conversations, and swoony-worthy encounters throughout this story, and I was invested in every part of it. The only thing that was odd to me is how abruptly it ended. It just felt a little more rushed than the previous three books felt, and I think it could've faded out a little smoother. Other than that, I’m a big fan and cannot wait for the next Bergman Brothers book to come out! :)

TO LOVE JASON THORN by Ella Maise

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Jason Thorn is my brother’s childhood friend and how stupidly in love with that boy I was. He was the first boy that made me blush, my first official crush. That excitement that bubbles up inside you, those famous butterflies - he was the reason for them all. But, you only get to live in that fairytale world until they crush your hopes and dreams then stomp on your heart for good measure. And boy did he crush my heart into little pieces. After that, I did my best to stay away from him - and let me tell you, it was pretty hard to do. When tragedy struck his family and they moved away, I was ready to forget he ever existed. Now he is a movie star, the one who has a dimpled smile and makes all of the women go into a screaming frenzy. Do you think that’s dreamy? I don’t think so. How about coming face to face with him? Nope, still not dreamy. Not when I can’t even manage to look him in the eye. Me? I’m Olive, the writer of the book that inspired the movie he’s about to star in on the big screen. As of late, I’m also referred to as the oh-so-very-lucky girl who is about to become the wife of Jason Thorn. Maybe you’re yet again thinking this is all so dreamy? Nope, nothing dreamy going on here. Not even close.

My Thoughts: I honestly wasn’t expecting to like this book as much as I did! It was recommended to me by my Kindle, so I figured I’d give it a try. The book’s format changes between Jason and Olive’s perspectives which I think was essential for building a connection with both of them. From the start, I was kind of assuming Jason is just a typical f-boy who has zero redeeming qualities because he thinks he’s the shit. However, as I got to know him better through his internal dialogue, he found his way into my heart. Olive was the ideal protagonist for this book. She was the perfect balance of head-strong, stubborn, clever, and sweet. I think it would’ve been annoying if she swooned for Jason right away, so I like that the author made him WORK FOR IT. Plus, after they did start falling for one another, you could feel the adoration and love radiating off the pages. I was obsessed with how unapologetically into each other they were. There are definitely some descriptive steamy scenes in this book (like there’s a disclaimer about them on Goodreads lol), so if that’s not your jam then you can probs pass on this one. Otherwise, this was a fun and spicy lil rom-com to cozy up with on a Saturday!

TO HATE ADAM CONNOR by Ella Maise

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: So you may ask, who is Adam Connor? He’s the recently divorced, Academy Award-winning actor who just moved in next door with his kid. He also happens to be an exquisite male specimen and the most infuriating sly bastard I’ve ever come across. Let’s be honest here, wouldn’t you wanna take a peek over the wall to catch a glimpse of him? Wouldn’t you melt away after watching him workout as his 5-year-old kid cheered him on? While I was being thoughtful by not breaking and entering and was actually considering going over to offer him a shoulder to cry on (because of his divorce), instead he had me thrown in jail after a small incident. After that day, I was mentally plotting ways to strangle him instead of jumping his bones. Even if he and his son were the best things since sliced bread, I couldn’t fall for him. No matter what promises he whispered on my skin, my curse wouldn’t let us be. I wasn’t a damsel in distress - I could save myself, thank you very much - but deep inside, I still hoped Adam Connor would be the hero of my story.

My Thoughts: This book follows Lucy who is Olive’s best friend. We know from To Love Jason Thorn that Lucy is a sarcastic, sassy, strong woman, and v sexually driven lol. She’s also extremely protective of Olive and dedicated to their friendship. When her ex-boyfriend breaks up with her and moves across the country, Lucy moves in with Olive and Jason in their Bel Air mansion. Adam Connor moves next door and after an unfortunate incident, Lucy ends up becoming somewhat of a nanny for his son, Aiden (the cutest little kid, my gosh). I absolutely SWOONED over this rom-com. It was everything you could want from an enemies-to-lovers trope, and I loved that the author allowed each character to stay true to who they were even as their love-hate relationship progressed. The banter alone is worth the read. My only issue is there were some subplots sprinkled throughout the book that were supposed to lead up to a revelation at the end, but I felt like they weren’t as strong as they should’ve been. Also, just a friendly warning, this book has a disclaimer on Goodreads about the steamy scenes, and there’s also a couple of scenes that could be triggering to some people. So, please keep that in mind if you decide to pick it up. All in all though, I loved Lucy and Adam’s story and read this book in one evening lol.

And that’s January for ya!

2022 Book Count: 15

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What’s your go-to genre when you’re in a reading slump? Let me know in the comments!